“Cal is… well, he’s taking care of it,” I told them. “And I think I’m going to let him.”
“Finally!” Scarlet squealed, her beautiful green eyes bright with excitement. “Cole said he stayed with you last night.”
“What?” Sophie demanded, nearly bouncing out of her chair.
I held up a hand. “He did. On the couch,” I clarified. “Someonelet the cat out of the bag that Tim disappeared.” I glanced accusingly around the table. When four sets of eyes looked innocently back at me I continued, “Anyway, he kind of pushed his way in. We spent the morning together and after the text, I agreed that Bubs and I would stay with him for a bit. Just until it’s safe.”
“Wow,” Kat breathed. “And Sal is trying to trace the text?” she surmised.
I nodded.
“I hope Cal gets his hands around that asshole’s neck,” Sophie muttered quietly.
I couldn’t say I disagreed.
“How are you feeling about things with Cal?” Scarlet asked gently.
I gazed at the expanse of the desert beyond. “Still confused. I guess we’ll just see. I have a lot on my plate and a lot of my past to work through. Hell, my past is still my present, as much as I wish it weren’t.”
I looked down at my hands in my lap.
“I’m not sure if he’ll want to handle it all once I tell him everything.”
Sophie reached over and squeezed my shoulder briefly. “Well, I guess you’ll just have to see,” she murmured.
I bit my lip and nodded. “Can we talk about something else? Where’s Connie? I know Piper and Ry are in San Diego visiting her dad.”
Ettie nodded. “Con’s at a doctor’s appointment with Wes. They’re finding out what they’re having.” She grinned.
I smiled, happy for my friend. “My bet’s on a girl. Poor overprotective Wes will be in deep with two women to look after.”
Scarlet laughed ruefully. As mother of a little girl and wife of an MC vice president, she knew exactly what I was talking about. “Cole dodged a bullet with this one,” she said, patting her pregnant belly. “He’s getting a boy this time.”
“Like he’ll be any less protective.” Kat snorted.
“True,” she agreed, just as Cole and Cal emerged from the building. “Hi, baby,” she greeted her husband, warmth permeating her gaze.
A slow grin spread over Cole’s face as he ambled over to drop a kiss on her lips.
With his blond hair and blue eyes, Cole was a gorgeous man and held a striking resemblance to his father.
But I’d only ever had eyes for Cal.
“Ready?” Cal’s deep rasp of a voice was like music to my ears.
“Yeah.” I nodded, watching as Cal walked over to Mason and picked him up, the movement so natural it momentarily floored me. “Uh, right, okay,” I stammered as I grabbed my purse. “See you guys later,” I added in parting, with a wave toward my friends.
“Let’s do a girls’ night soon—it’s been too long,” Scarlet called after us.
“Sure,” I agreed as vaguely as I usually did.
It was hard for me to find someone to watch Mason when everyone who usually watched him was part of the girls’ night. I usually skipped out on those plans, not wanting to put anyone out.
Cal’s warm hand on my lower back as he guided me out of the building and to his SUV was like an electric current running up my spine.
He opened my door for me. “I’ll get Bubs in,” he informed me.
The help was both welcome and terrifying.
